Doctors will also consider the age of the child, as young children are often not able to tolerate radiation therapy. A population-based study was used for the present study. It found that there were 179 cases of childhood astrocytomas. The majority of patients were older than seven years of age. Over half of patients were younger than seven years. The peak period of these tumors was between 1965 and 1970.
The symptoms of astrocytoma may not show up immediately, and may take months before a diagnosis is made. The symptoms may include a swelling of the head or a change in the child’s head circumference. Health care providers measure the head circumference during well-baby checkups. A soft spot on the top of the skull might also be swollen. If you have concerns about your child’s symptoms, take them to a GP as soon as possible.
Surgical treatment of astrocytoma is the primary method of treatment. Depending on the location and grade of the tumour, surgery may be the only option. However, this approach may not be possible for some tumors, especially those located near critical brain structures. In such cases, doctors will usually combine surgery and chemotherapy, which may delay the need for radiation therapy. In young children, surgery of this type may also damage surrounding normal brain tissue.
Depending on the location of the tumour, children may be treated with a combination of medications and surgery. Steroids are commonly prescribed for children with astrocytomas. Although this option is the primary treatment, it is not always feasible. For example, if the tumor is located in the optic chiasm or hypothalamus, the surgeon may not be able to remove the entire tumour during surgery. The surgeon may also choose to perform targeted therapy instead of surgery.
Treatment of astrocytomas in children depends on the location of the tumour. During the procedure, the surgeon will remove the tumour as much of it as possible. During the operation, a child may experience pain or loss of vision in the affected area. During the procedure, the doctor will also discuss other treatment options. The aim of surgery is to eliminate as much of the tumor as possible. Because of the risks, surgery is not always the best option for a child with astrocytoma in childhood.
When a child is diagnosed with an astrocytoma, the treatment will depend on the location of the tumour. The diagnosis is often based on the age of the child. If it is located in the brain stem, the surgeon will have to remove part of the skull. It is important to note that this operation can have side effects. For instance, the removal of the brain stem can damage the surrounding normal brain tissue.
The treatment of astrocytomas in children depends on the age of the child. The age of a child will affect the location of the tumour. A pediatrician may suggest surgery if a tumor is in a specific area. The physician will then evaluate the patient’s symptoms. If the tumor is in the brain stem, the doctor may suggest treatment that focuses on the surrounding areas. This is the most common treatment for astrocytomas in childhood.
